Hey everyone,

Don’t forget to fill out your homework log. Happy practising.

Rob

________________________

Kaden

In our lesson, we talked about prioritizing playing in time with the recording/band, even if it’s flawed. The worst thing you can do is be out of sync with whoever or whatever you’re playing with. There is one good way to play in time consistently: listen. Listen really hard. In a group setting, your playing is not as important to listening because your best playing can only come from listening. If you can’t listen because you can’t hear what other people (or the recording) are playing, you need to play quieter. Playing quiet is harder than playing loud – I know, so let’s start working on it now.

Basic Beats 5 – 7 (Play along to All Time Low by Jon Bellion)

Triplet Exercises

  • At first, play along to “Gravity” by John Mayer; the hi-hat in the recording is playing triplets.
  • As you get better, play along to a faster tune: “Texas Flood” by Stevie Rae Vaughan.
  • This will help you to get started with playing jazz. Triplets are essential to jazz.
  • The blue text is what you should count as you play.
  • Play the bass drum on every quarter note, even though it’s not written on the page.
  • Play the hi-hat with your foot on beats “2” and “4”.
  • You can play which ever drum (or drums) you want with your hands.
  • Pattern 1: These are called 8th-note triplets. Alternate your sticking (R-L-R-L, etc.).
  • Pattern 2: Right hand only, but tap the rests on your thigh with your left hand.
  • Pattern 3: Sounds the same as Pattern 2, but written as quarter-note triplets (two 8th notes = 1 quarter note, so two 8th-note triplets = 1 quarter note triplet).
  • Pattern 4: Right hand only.
  • Pattern 5: The green letters below the notes indicate the sticking (left hand/right hand)

Mateo

If your mom has any questions about renting a drum kit, she should call the school. They would be happy to help and answer any questions. You must have a drum kit to practise on. A lot of the progress we make in lessons is lost if you don’t practise for a whole week.

“1, 2” Pattern

  • Play along to this: 
  • Count “1, 2” out loud. You should be counting at the same speed that they sing “Sponge-bob-square-pants!” (count “1” on “sponge” and “square,” and “2” on “bob” and “pants”. Be sure not to only count during that section of the song; you should be counting throughout.

“1 + 2 +” (1 and 2 and) Pattern

  • When you see a plus sign (+), it just means “and”.
  • Count “1 + 2 +” out loud.
  • Play the hi-hat on everything (1, and, 2, and).
  • When you’re ready, add the bass drum on beat 1.
  • When you’re ready, add the snare drum on beat 2.

Ella

Activity 1:

Play all Basic Beats along to Hotel California.

Activity 2:

This exercise will give you the hand speed you need to play Hotel California comfortably and confidently. Using the finger technique, play one bar (four beats) of 16th notes on the hi-hat with your right hand followed by one bar of quarter notes. Once you have mastered this, play two bars of 16th notes followed by two bars of quarter notes. Then do four bars each.

Play along to a metronome at 55 bpm (beats per minute). If you don’t have a metronome, you can use this online one. Remember: the metronome is clicking the quarter notes and there are four 16th notes in a quarter note, so you must play four 16th notes every click. Once you’re comfortable playing at 55 bpm, move up to 60. Once you’re comfortable at 60, move up to 65. Then 70. Then 75. Don’t go higher than that.

Activity 3:

Play along to the recording of Hotel California. You don’t need to play it exactly like they do. You don’t have to do drum fills or hit the crash cymbal if you don’t want to, but at least play the main beat.

Sylvie

Great job on keeping the hi-hat closed with your left foot!

Remember to only move your wrists when you hit the drums. When playing the bass drum, always keep your foot on the pedal and bend your ankle when you want to hit it. Only move your ankle – not your whole leg

Activity 1: “1 + 2 +” (1 and 2 and) Pattern

  • When you see a plus sign (+), it just means “and”.
  • Count “1 + 2 +” out loud.
  • Play the hi-hat on everything (1, and, 2, and).
  • When you’re ready, add the bass drum on beat 1.
  • When you’re ready, add the snare drum on beat 2.

Activity 2: Single and Double Stroke Rolls

  • Practice your single stroke and double stroke rolls. Play along to a metronome. See how fast you can get them!